Gaithersburg man killed in car crash

WASHINGTON — A man who was reported driving erratically in Montgomery County early Sunday morning was killed when he ran into a tree.

Detectives from the Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating the fatal crash, reports a news release.

Shortly after 1 a.m., an off-duty police employee called 911 to report a gray pickup driving erratically in the Route 108 and Hawkins Creamery Road area. Officers responded but could not get the driver to stop.

The car veered off the eastbound lane of Route 108 and struck a tree, police say.

The driver, who has been identified as Jose Antonio Ayala, 49, of Gaithersburg, died at the scene, police say.

Family members say Ayala is diabetic and insulin dependent. He was last seen by family around 6 p.m. on Saturday when he left to pick up groceries.